2012 Abarth Punto warning

192
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AIR FILTER
Have the air filter replaced by an Abarth Dealership.
POLLEN FILTER
Have the pollen filter replaced by an Abarth Dealership.
Brake fluid is poisonous and highly
corrosive. In the event of accidental
contact, immediately wash the affected parts
with water and neutral soap. Then rinse
thoroughly. If swallowed call a doctor
immediately.
WARNING
The symbol π on the container indicates
a synthetic brake fluid, which is different
from a mineral fluid. Use of a mineral type
fluids will damage the special rubber seals of
the braking system beyond repair.
WARNING
The symbol π on the container indicates
a synthetic brake fluid, which is different
from a mineral fluid. Use of a mineral type
fluids will damage the special rubber seals of
the braking system beyond repair.
WARNING
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193
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BATTERY
The car is fitted with a low-maintenance battery: no
top-ups with distilled water are needed in standard
conditions of use.
INSPECTING THE CHARGE AND THE
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
The operations must be carried out as described in this
Owner Handbook only by skilled personnel. Any top-up
operations must be carried out by skilled personnel and
by an Abarth Dealership.
Battery liquid is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
Keep naked flames or possible sources of sparks
away from the battery: risk of explosion or fire.
WARNING
Using the battery when the fluid is too
low can damage it irreparably and
generate a risk of explosion.
WARNING
CHANGING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a genuine spare part
with the same specifications.
If a battery with different specifications is fitted, the
service intervals given in the “Scheduled Servicing
Programme” in this chapter will no longer be valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer’s instructions for
maintenance.
Incorrect installation of electric and
electronic devices may cause severe
damage to your car. Contact an Abarth
Ford Dealership if you want to install accessories
(alarms, mobile phone, etc.): they will suggest the
most suitable devices and advise you if a higher
capacity battery needs to be installed.
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194
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Batteries contain substances that can be
very dangerous for the environment. It is
advisable to have the battery changed by
an Abarth Dealership, where it will be disposed
of correctly and in accordance with nature and
the law.
If the vehicle must remain unused for a
long time at very low temperatures,
remove the battery and take it to a warm place
to avoid freezing.
WARNING
If you have to perform any operation on
the battery or near it, always protect
your eyes with special goggles.
WARNING
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make it last longer,
observe the following instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that the doors,
tailgate and flaps are closed properly, to prevent any
light from switching on inside the passenger’s
compartment;
❒the courtesy lights must be off. The car is however
provided with an automatic system for switching off
internal lights;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system, hazard
warning lights, etc...) switched on for a long time
when the engine is not running;
❒before performing any operation on the electric
system, disconnect the negative battery cable;
❒make sure that the battery terminals are fully
tightened.
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195
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IMPORTANT If the charge level remains under 50% for
a long time, the battery is damaged by sulphation,
reducing its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing (e.g.
already at -10°C). Refer to the paragraph “Car
inactivity” in “Starting and driving” if the car is left
parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install electrical
accessories which require permanent electrical supply
(alarm, etc.) or accessories influencing the electrical
supply requirements, contact an Abarth Dealership
whose qualified personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices available in Lineaccessori Abarth,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is capable of
withstanding the load required, or whether it should be
integrated with a more powerful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing energy even with
the engine off, they gradually run down the battery.WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, including the space-saver,
every two weeks and before long journeys. The pressure
should be checked with the tyre rested and cold.
While driving the car, the pressure increases under
standard conditions: for the correct tyre inflation
pressure, see “Wheels” in the “Technical specifications”
chapter.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre wear fig. 171:
A normal pressure: tread evenly worn;
B low pressure: tread particularly worn at the edges;
C high pressure: tread particularly worn in the centre.
The tyres must be replaced when the tread is less than
1.6 mm thick. In all cases, follow the laws in force in the
country where you are driving.
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒Avoid braking suddenly, high-powered starts and
violent impacts against curbs, potholes or other
obstacles if possible. Driving for long stretches over
bumpy roads can damage the tyres;
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F0U175Abfig. 171
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CONTENTSRemember that road holding also
depends on the correct tyre inflation.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the tyre
overheats and this can cause it serious
damage.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the tyres, moving
them from the right of the car to the left
and vice versa.
Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of temperatures
exceeding 150°C.
The mechanical properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
WARNING
❒check the tyres regularly for cuts on the sides, swelling
or irregular tread wear;. Contact an Abarth Dealership
if required;
❒avoid overloading the car when travelling: this may
cause serious damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop the vehicle immediately and
change it to avoid damage to the tyre, the rim, the
suspensions and the steering system;
❒a tyre will age even if it is not used much. Cracks in the
tread and on the sidewalls are a sign of ageing. Have
the tyres checked by skilled personnel if they have
been fitted for longer than six years. Also remember
to check the space-saver wheel very carefully;
❒in case of replacement, always fit new tyres, avoiding
those with an unknown origin;
❒if a tyre is replaced, also change the inflation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front and rear tyres,
it is advisable to change them over every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them on the same side
of the car so as not to reverse the direction of
rotation.
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RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber hoses are
concerned, follow the “Scheduled Servicing Programme”
in this chapter carefully.
Ozone, high temperatures and prolonged lack of fluid in
the system may cause hardening and cracking of the
hoses, with possible leaks.
Careful inspections are therefore necessary.
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WINDSCREEN WIPER
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using special products;
TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC 35 is recommended.
Replace the blades if the rubber edge is deformed or
worn. In any case, it is advisable to replace them
approximately once a year.
A few simple precautions can reduce the possibility of
damage to the blades:
❒make sure that the rubber part is not stuck to the
windscreen at sub-zero temperatures. Use a de-icing
product to release it if required;
❒remove any snow from the glass: in addition to
protecting the blades, this prevents effort from the
motor and overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen wipers on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper blades is a
serious hazard, because visibility is
reduced in bad weather.
WARNING
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F0U177Abfig. 173198
F0U176Abfig. 172
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades fig. 172
How to remove the blade:
❒lift the arm A off the windscreen;
❒turn blade B 90° around pin C, located at the end of
the wiper arm;
❒remove the blade from the pin C.
How to insert the blade:
❒fit pin C into the hole located in the middle of the
blade B;
❒refit the arm with the blade on the windscreen.
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Changing the rear window blade fig. 173
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the cover A and remove the arm from the car,
slackening the nut B that fastens it to the pivot pin;
❒position the new arm correctly and tighten the nut;
❒lower the cover.
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F0U179Abfig. 174F0U178Abfig. 175
Rear window washer fig. 175
Rear window washer jets are fixed.
The nozzle holder is located above the rear window.
SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen washer fig. 174
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly check that there is
fluid in the reservoir: see “Checking fluid levels” in this
chapter).
Then check that the nozzle holes are not clogged; use a
needle to unblock them if necessary.
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